Remember the Wonders

Remember the amazing things He has done. Remember His miracles and His fair decisions. – (1 Chronicles 16:12, ERV)

Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced. – (1 Chronicles 16:12, NIV)

Remember the wondrous works He has done, all His marvelous works, and the justice He declared. – (1 Chronicles 16:12, CEB)

 

It is so good to pause and reflect on the wondrous works that God has done. In a few short years, God has brought me from a space of brokenness and despair to one that is healed and whole and loved more than I ever thought possible. When I was in need, He provided. At times when things seemed unjust, He brought justice. Throughout each new day God has been present and faithful and loving. This morning, I look forward, for in two short days our boys, my Viking and I, will travel to Wenatchee to prepare for our wedding on Saturday. Down to the last detail, God has provided all. From a home that will accommodate two adults and three teenage boys, to the sale of my Viking’s old home, to just the right timing and grace to move our belongings out of our old home and into the new space. Two days remain to finish moving and cleaning our former home and have things moved in so that we are set to be home when we return from the wedding. Though a bit daunting, I know all will be done as I look back and recognize the grace and strength, help and hope that He has given all along. May we ever remember the wonders our God has done, His miracles, and the righteous way He rules.

 

The Lord, He is good, 

Throughout all our days;

His wondrous works,

Of kindness and grace.

He’s seen all our needs,

In love, provided;

Restored peacefulness,

Where angst divided.

With all that I am,

For all of my days;

I can’t thank enough,

Nor give enough praise.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the wondrous works and miracles You have done in my life. Thank You that You are just and fair in all of Your ways. Thank You for the incredible ways that You bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Forgive us for the times that we have doubts or fail to see all that You have done. Teach us to trust You more, so that faith would rise up every time a challenge comes our way. Show us how to love those around us in a way that offers hope and demonstrates the goodness of Your grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we offer all of our praise for the incredible gift of Your loving ways. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. – Psalm 9:1

 

 

All for Good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – (Romans 8:28, NIV)

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. – (Romans 8:28, VOICE)

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are His loves who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose. – (Romans 8:28, TPT)

 

I don’t know that I can even count the number of times that what I perceived as something awful, (and at the time, perhaps it was) that God, in His infinite goodness and grace, ultimately used it for good. Each time that I have had to walk through the hard or horrible that life brings, as I sought God and relied on Him, He provided what I needed to navigate the season, and later used the experience for something positive. At times the benefit has been personal growth and the discovery of His strength in times of my own weakness, yet still other times, He has turned my experience into a tool by which I am able to honestly speak to others going through similar, as I can share of His faithfulness that brought me through. God is good, and He has a plan and a purpose for each of us. When we choose to trust in Him, He leads us through life by the light of His love, even when we are in spaces of darkness. May we ever seek the Lord and His plan, as He is good and is the only One who can bring beauty from our ashes.

 

With all certainty, 

I truly can say;

God works all for good,

When we seek His way.

Though life’s not easy,

And despair may come;

The Lord is faithful,

’til each day is done.

He walks beside us,

And shows us the way;

Grants us renewed strength,

Fresh start for each day.

We can be certain,

He’ll use all for good;

If we choose to trust,

Hope our livelihood.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we trust You, You ultimately work all things for good in our lives. Thank You that even when we cannot see how that is possible, You are moving and making it so. Forgive us for our fearfulness and doubt. Teach us to trust Your hand in all things, as You are far greater than anything that we face. Show us how to love those around us in a way that encourages, strengthens and builds faith. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to orchestrate everything in our lives toward something good, as only You can do. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

Every Detail Done

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – (Colossians 3:17, NIV)

Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. – (Colossians 3:17, ERV)

Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. – (Colossians 3:17, MSG)

 

It is a bit intimidating to think about all things that we do, be it word or deed, being done in the name of the Lord. In our broken humanity, we do not always get it right. So often, our words or our actions do not align with what Jesus would do, and we fall short – again and again. This is where we are reminded of our desperate need for our Savior. We need Him to choose and do well each step of the way. Thankfully, if we seek Him and place our trust in Him, He will lead us and guide us in the way we are meant to go, and we can give Him all the glory for His goodness and guidance. May we turn in trust to the Lord to lead us in word and deed, so that we would demonstrate His love through the details of our lives.

 

In all that we do, 

Both word and in deed;

May we show His love,

As we seek, He’ll lead.

All thanks be to God,

For His word is true;

He’ll show us the way,

To do as He’d do.

So rise up and seek,

Ask the Lord to guide;

In action and word,

In Him, let’s abide.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and ask You to lead us and guide us, You will direct our steps so that we may walk in Your way and do Your will. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to seek You or listen to that which we know is Your best. Teach us to trust You more, as You will give us the words to speak and the steps to take if we only ask You to lead us. Show us how to love those around us as You love, so that all may see Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to do Your will and give You praise for all of our days. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

Secure Steps Through Seeking

A person’s steps are made secure by the Lord when they delight in His way. – (Psalm 37:23, CEB)

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. – (Psalm 37:23, NLT)

 

God directs and secures our steps when we seek His direction. If our heart is seeking to follow that which He is asking, He will show us where we are meant to go, and what we are to do. The Lord delights in all who set their hearts on pursuing Him. Though there are times that the path we are called to travel seems unstable, He will secure our steps. Christ came so that we could come to know His nearness with every step we take, and learn to trust in His strength rather than our own. May we trust the Lord and delight in His ways, allowing Him to secure our steps.

 

Trust in the seeking,

for the Lord is good;

He delights in us,

our heart, understood.

The Lord will direct,

each step that we take;

if we choose listen,

plain our path He’ll make.

Our steps are secure,

as we choose abide;

He delights in all,

who walk by His side.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our steps are made secure when we delight in Your ways. Thank You that You show us the way, when we seek You. Thank You that You care about every detail of our lives, not just the tragedies and triumphs. Forgive us for not seeking You each step of the way. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be in constant communication with You – about the simple and mundane, and the big and overwhelming. Show us how to love others every step that we take, so that they may see Your heart through ours. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we delight in Your ways and trust You to secure our every step. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

The Voice of Truth

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – (Luke 12:7)

Our value is determined by God, not by man. He created us individually and intentionally. He knows us so intimately that He is aware of even the most minute detail about us. Our worth is not dictated by what others proclaim. The same God who does not forget even one of the sparrows, is very aware of each one of us. We need not fear, even in the most dire of circumstances, for our hope is secure for all of eternity when we place our trust in Him. No matter what comes in this life, nothing can take away from the eternal promises of God. This hope we hold is our safety and security both now and forevermore. May we embrace the goodness and grace of God, who knows and loves us so completely, that there is no detail about us that is not known by Him.

The hairs on our heads,

are numbered and known;

by God who is love,

wise King on the throne.

We need not hold fear,

we’re seen through His eyes;

counted and valued,

more than realized.

Our worth is not deemed,

by any mere man;

but rather by God,

made us with a plan.

Each with a purpose,

meant to go fulfill;

to embrace the Lord,

and pursue His will.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know us individually and intimately. Thank You that You know every detail about us, and yet You love. Thank You that perfect love casts out fear. Thank You that our value is not determined by any person on this planet, but only by You, who created us with purpose. Forgive us for listening to the lies that people tell us about our worth, and help us to seek You to discover the truth. Lead us to love well, so that we pour into the lives of those around us, pointing them to the truth of who they are in You. May many come to know You as their Savior and King. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You to lead us and guide us, and be the voice of truth in all things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

All for Something Good

He knows us far better than we know ourselves… That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. – (Romans 8:27-28, The Message)

And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – (Romans 8:27-28, NIV)

God sees us and He knows us. For those of us who have decided to seek Him and invest our hearts in Him, He leads us by His will, and calls us according to His purposes. No matter what comes our way, He can work things out for good. Though it may take a very long time for us to be made aware of the good, we can trust that God can do immeasurably more than we can see or imagine when we choose to trust in Him. May we choose to rise up and walk by faith, trusting that His love will lead us, and that He will be faithful to fulfill what He has promised to do, as He works out ALL things for the good of those who love Him.

In every heart,

God placed a desire;

to know and be known,

insatiable fire.

As we pursue Him,

trust God with our lives;

He uses all things,

for good, hope revives.

His love will lead us,

to where He has called;

faithful, He’ll meet us,

may we give Him all.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know us far better than we know ourselves. Thank You that You take every detail in our lives, good, bad and everything in between, and work it out for Your glory, when we trust in You. Forgive us for our fear and lack of faith when there seems that nothing good could possibly come from our circumstances, and teach us to trust You more in these moments than ever before. Show us again how You work out all things for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Lead us to love others in the same way that You love us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to work out all things for good, because You are faithful. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. – Psalm 145:8

Cared for and Covered

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. – (Psalm 91:11)

 

What a glorious promise to hold! God sees us and is concerned about us in all of our ways. He knows our needs, and He commands His angels to keep watch over us at all times. The Lord never leaves us nor forsakes us, and He provides what is needed so that we may successfully stay the course to which we have been called. Lead us Lord, to operate in confidence, knowing that You have commanded Your angels to guard us, as we walk in Your way.

 

Though we may know not,

the angels around;

the Lord sends His guard,

to keep us each sound.

Despite being one,

He sees us alone;

and cares where we are,

though He’s on the throne.

About all our ways,

the Lord is concerned;

He keeps watch of us,

let His grace be learned.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You command Your angels concerning us, to guard us in all of our ways. Thank You that You care about every detail in our lives – both large and small. Thank You that You set us on Your path of righteousness, and supply what we need to safely stay the course. Forgive us for allowing the obstacles and challenges of this life to keep us from fully trusting You. Teach us to grant You every last corner of our heart, allowing You access to all – as You are our safety and and protection, and will never leave us nor forsake us. Lead us to love others well, just as we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be exalted O God, as we recognize the remarkable ways that You care for and cover us in all of our ways. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5